Author Topic: ducks. (Read 3943 times)

eryl · « **on:** September 10, 2022, 01:04:18 pm »

Im sure many of you have used boiling water to feather poultry (especialloy old hens) before but has anyone ever tried it on ducks? Be interesting to hear.

Richmond · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2022, 01:29:18 pm »

Yes I have tried it, not very successfully. It worked best after initially rough dry plucking to remove most of the "normal" feathers and then scalding to help remove the down. Tbh I just prefer to dry pluck anything these days, wet plucking is so messy.

eryl · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2022, 01:38:34 pm »

yes, i normally 'rough pluck' then use meths to singe off the down. Some one also told me to use a tea towel to cover the bird and then use an iron on them - never tried it though.

Richmond · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2022, 08:15:56 am »

I have not heard anyone say they enjoy plucking waterfowl. Commercial duck and goose producers dip them in hot wax but it's not really an option for the smallholder - the kit is horrendously expensive. Whenever I do decide to prep a duck I set aside plenty of time and just work steadily on it till it's done. It's not a job to be done in a hurry!

eryl · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2022, 02:38:54 pm »

totally agree richmond. since posting, i have tried the hotwater method and it does work in that it speeds up the process but you still hva to singe them with meths afterwards.

arobwk · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2022, 03:54:59 pm »

Quote from: eryl on September 10, 2022, 01:38:34 pm

yes, i normally 'rough pluck' then use meths to singe off the down. Some one also told me to use a tea towel to cover the bird and then use an iron on them - never tried it though.

Meths ??!!!! Doesn't burnt meths taint the skin at all ?? (As kids, we used to apply meths to our exposed body parts when going out horse-riding - yeah, we really did - but meths on the meat one is about to eat !!!???)

macgro7 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2022, 10:22:14 pm »

I tried burning the tiny down feathers with blowtorch once or twice. Generally plucking ducks is not fun.
With muscovies I just take the skin off - they have THREE layers of feathers

eryl · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2022, 04:23:22 pm »

no no! You put the meths in saucer (you only need a lttle) and set fire to it then singe the ducks in the flame - works brlliantly. Do it with turkeys and chickens as well to singe the hairs off.

arobwk · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2022, 04:30:21 pm »

Quote from: eryl on September 12, 2022, 04:23:22 pm

no no! You put the meths in saucer (you only need a lttle) and set fire to it then singe the ducks in the flame - works brlliantly. Do it with turkeys and chickens as well to singe the hairs off.

OK - I guess I was thinking of dousing - sort of like applying brandy to an Xmas pud. Silly me!